“According to Bloomberg, Apple is seriously exploring the idea of developing a pair of smart glasses that can present users with pertinent information via a connected iPhone,” Yoni Heisler writes for BGR. “Apple researches new products and technologies all the time, and it’s no secret that many early-stage Apple research projects don’t often result in a shipping product; remember when Apple was supposedly going to release a car by 2019? Nonetheless, I find this particular rumor about Apple smart glasses to be much more plausible than most rumors regarding Apple’s varied R&D initiatives.”

“For starters, societal acceptance of wearing electronic devices on one’s head has shifted, as evidenced by the growing number of VR headsets and the recent release of Snap Inc’s Spectacles,” Heisler writes. “Two, developing a pair of smart glasses is more within Apple’s area of expertise than, say, developing a car. And three, Apple CEO Tim Cook has been rather vocal about augmented reality being an area of technology worth exploration.”

Similar concerns may apply, depending on what functions Apple includes in the specs – audio and video recording, for instance.

But I think that the concept has merit. Basically, package some of the guts of the Apple Watch into the specs. Switch from the OLED display to some type of laser projection system. Maintain connection to the iPhone (for the near term, at least) for connectivity and heavy processing to keep bulk and weight down. Over time, continued miniaturization will enable the Apple Watch, specs, and other wearables to function more autonomously.

Did I miss Snap Inc’s Spectacles becoming a wildly popular product? Citing that as an example of glasses technology becoming more common/popular is ridiculous. VR headsets are gaining in popularity, but people aren’t wandering the streets in them.

MDN seems to agree that Google Glass is a nonstarter, and seems to be coming around on the fact that Apple has recently been chasing competitors’ features & products (recent iPhones/iOS), and can’t deny that Apple’s consumer products have not been best-in-class lately (Apple TV, Maps, iTunes, Apple Music, USB-C nuclear option)

Why so optimistic on Apple chasing a Google product that nobody wanted and nobody has ever shown to be usable in any format?

I’m not optimistic about such a product. I don’t need that kind off technology hanging off my face, especially if identifiably geekwear. I reserve judgment but Google Glass was a terrible implementation & idea and while the technology could be a lot better some of the fundamental objections probably still apply. Good luck.